A SHOOTER armed with a sub-machine gun walked into a packed restaurant and tried to murder a diner and his son — but was himself killed in the botched Christmas Eve hit bid.
Tristan Sherry entered Browne’s Steakhouse in Blanchardstown, west Dublin, seeking out the dad and son who were eating there.
He riddled the father, in his 40s, with at least three bullets.
But hapless hitman Sherry then sustained more than two dozen stab wounds as a number of brave punters attemped to disarm him after his weapon jammed.
His suspected accomplice fled the restaurant, located on the village’s Main Street, and last night remained at large.
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Emergency services rushed to the scene of the attack which unfolded at around 8pm on Sunday.
The father was rushed to the James Connolly Memorial Hospital after being hit in the neck by one of the bullets.
Gardai yesterday said he was continuing to receive treatment for gunshot wounds and was still in a serious condition. His son, who is in his 20s, is unhurt.
Attacker Sherry, also aged in his 20s, was also rushed to hospital but was pronounced dead a while later.
A post-mortem is to be carried out today at the City Morgue in Whitehall by the State Pathologist.
Horrific footage of the aftermath of the shooting was widely shared on social media.
One clip showed a man’s body, covered in blood, on the floor of the Dublin restaurant as emergency services workers tell the person filming to “get that camera out”.
Debris is strewn across the floor, which is also thick with blood.
In other video clips, terrified diners are shown hiding under tables as a woman carried her children to safety.
Gardai appealed for the videos to “not be further distributed”.
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A Garda spokesman said: “An Garda Siochana is aware of videos of the incident and immediate aftermath which are in circulation on social media and messaging apps.
“We are appealing to the public for these videos not to be further distributed. We are also appealing to the public to be aware of a significant level of speculation, misinformation and disinformation which is in circulation.
“Anyone with information on this incident, or who has video footage, is asked to contact Blanchardstown Garda Station on 01 666 7000, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.”
A source told The Irish Sun yesterday: “This was a completely reckless attack in which innocent people could have lost their lives.
“The people who witnessed this suffered a terrifying ordeal. It’s a miracle other people weren’t injured as the shots were fired.”
CRIME SCENE SEALED OFF
Gardai believe a white Audi was used in the incident.
Three units from the Garda Armed Support Unit responded to the terrifying attack.
The steakhouse was sealed off yesterday as officers preserved the scene for an examination by the Garda Technical Bureau.
Gardai yesterday said that no arrests have been made.
An incident room has been set up at Blanchardstown Garda Station, where local officers are being assisted by the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation.
The investigation is being led by a Senior Investigating Officer and a Garda Family Liaison Officer has been appointed to liaise with the two families.
Cops will also increase patrols in the area over the festive season over fears of revenge attacks after a number of social media threats were issued. A Garda spokesman added: “Gardai have increased uniform patrols in the Dublin Region, with support from armed patrols, including the Garda Armed Support Unit.”
Reacting to the incident, Justice Minister Helen McEntee said on Instagram: “I deplore the violence in Blanchardstown tonight.
“This viciousness has resulted in unimaginable human suffering this Christmas.
“That anyone could perpetrate such violence as families gathered together is especially disgusting.” She said she is “thinking of the bereaved” and the people at the scene, including emergency services members who “have to deal with this senseless violence”.
She also urged anyone with information about the incident “of any kind” to contact the Gardai.
'CALLOUS ATTACK'
In a post on X, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, in whose constituency the incident took place, said: “Shocked to hear about the shooting today in Blanchardstown in a well-known family restaurant I’ve visited many times. Full Garda investigation under way. My thanks to them and solidarity to staff and customers.”
And local Dublin West TD and Children’s Minister Roderic O’Gorman called the shooting “a callous attack that put at risk the lives of many people enjoying their Christmas night out”.
He added: My thanks to the Gardai, emergency services and staff in Connolly for their quick responses.”
Labour Councillor for Castleknock John Walsh told The Irish Sun: “This is an appalling attack in a family restaurant at the heart of Blanchardstown village.
“It was particularly horrific as it occurred in a crowded restaurant just before Christmas, endangering the staff and people on a night out, including families with young children.
“My thoughts are with the staff and people in the restaurant last night and with the Gardai and emergency services who have to deal with the consequences of this senseless attack.
“A major Garda investigation is in progress and I would urge everyone who has information on this dreadful crime to report it to the Gardai.
Nobody else should attempt to take the law into their own hands.”
And Fianna Fail Cllr Howard Mahony, of Fingal County Council, said the incident was “horrific”.
He told The Irish Sun: “What played out in Blanchardstown was horrific, particularly for those people who were there, innocent women and those who were present having a festive night out.
“(Happening on) one of the happiest evenings and nights of the year, Christmas Eve. It’s terrible. Blanchardstown is a very quiet, peaceful village. It’s become very prosperous in recent years and this is highly unusual.
“It’s a once-off for a village like Blanchardstown and indeed a very fine restaurant.
“The innocent children and families who were out on a festive night out, to have to experience what they saw... I’ve no doubt it will take a while to get over that.”
“It’s just inconceivable. There’s nothing I can say to make it easier for them, the staff and the people who were present.”
Cllr Mahony also told how there was a gathering of about 40 people on the streets nearby for a carol service at around the time of the violent incident.
He explained: “(From) where the restaurant is, two minutes around the corner is St Brigid’s Church. For the carol service, 40 people would have been going. That’s what I find so frightening. Around that time somebody pulled up with a firearm, (had) gone in, around shops and the crowded restaurant.”
He added: “I just imagine how the children and the families are. It’s all they’re thinking about.”
